Cindy Klassen is now three for three in the 1500m event of the longtrack speedskating World Cup. Klassen won her third gold at the Heerenveen (Netherlands) event with a time of 1:57.72, with Olympic champion Claudia Pechstein (Ger) second in 1:58.82 and Anna Marie Thomas (Ned) third in 1:58.89. Ottawa's Kristina Groves was 9th (2:00.64) and Clara Hughes 17th. Klassen leads the World Cup for the 1500m with a perfect score of 350 points, followed by Pechstein (280). Groves is 10th in the standings.

Bamboo - Will Your Next Bike Be Made of This?

The Times of India reports that an aerospace engineer in the Indian Institute of Technology has developed a lightweight bamboo bicycle:

KANPUR - With an aim to popularising nature-friendly cycling in the country, a professor of aerospace engineering department of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, DP Mishra has designed a bamboo cycle weighing just 8 kg. This cycle, first of its kind, has a pleasing horn which blows like a flute. Mishra has applied for the patent of this unique cycle.

The IITians have also started the process for formation of an all-India association for the protection of rights of cyclists and pedestrians. Mishra claimed that the idea behind the bamboo cycle was to make cycles affordable for the rural people who can manufacture it with the material available in their own villages. He aimed to popularise cycling even among the rich, who were aggravating air pollution through their vehicles. Bamboo cycle has its entire body, including stand and handle, made of wood. However, it has standard tyres and tubes.

Experts said bamboo cycle is more eco-friendly than the cycles made of iron as process of making iron cycles harms nature. Besides, there is an ample scope for manufacture of bamboo cycles even by the semi-skilled people of the rural areas. "As we are all concerned about traffic burden on roads, vehicular pollution and accidents, the bamboo cycle might curb these problems to a considerable extent" he said. Mishra, who comes to office on his self-designed bamboo cycle, has planned to make improvements in it in near future to make it more attractive and lighter. He said that he was thinking to apply a specific oil to make the cycle more durable, cheaper and lighter. In the next phase, many attractive designs may be introduced for bamboo cycles meant for the tiny tots.

Mishra has also initiated process to form an NGO for the protection of pedestrians' rights and promotion of cycling in the country. The aim of this association is to create awareness about environment protection in the country. The proposed organisation will urge the government to give a separate passage to cyclists on road and also free insurance to the buyers. It will also recommend rebate in taxes to the buyers. Compensation to the cyclists in case of road accidents, will also be recommended.